Anti-regime groups advise against reckless statements on Arakan 

By Admin 23 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
23 May 2024, Sittwe

Two anti-regime forces — the People’s Militia Strategy Advisory Bureau (PMSAB) and Thunder Guerrilla Force (TGF) — have advised against making statements and publishing analytical reports about the current situation in Arakan State based on unfounded and biassed information.

“If analysis and statements are made on baseless and biassed information without carefully and objectively studying and assessing the real situation on the ground, it can lead to wrong results,”

The two groups said they would fight alongside the United League of Arakan/Arakkha Army (ULA/AA), working to eliminate military dictatorship and establish a true federal, democratic country.

The two groups released the statement amid widespread allegations against the AA regarding Muslims in Arakan State.

The parallel National Unity Government (NUG) released a statement on Tuesday expressing concerns about the junta’s arson attacks on the houses of Arakanese and Hindu residents in Buthidaung to create racial conflicts, junta’s shelling and aerial attacks, and forced relocation of many residents including Muslims.

Some Muslim activists have accused the AA of killing Muslims and torching their houses.

A total of 194 anti-regime groups and civil society organisations also released a joint statement on Wednesday, calling for an investigation into allegations of AA troops killing and arresting Muslims.

AA chief Major General Twan Mrat Naing has responded by alleging that those organisations made accusations to please their donors while ignoring the truth.

The ULA/AA in its Monday statement accused the regime of militarily cooperating with such Muslim armed groups as the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO), Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA), and was resorting to various means to cause racial and religious conflicts.

The AA also said that so-called civil society organisations with ties to the RSO, ARSA and ARA are echoing the junta’s destabilising narrative on Arakan State.

“The Muslim issue is very sensitive, and it can result in racial conflicts accidentally. So, anyone and any organisation should exercise extra caution when they make statements about Muslim issues,” said an Arakanese politician.